Foundation garment



June 15, 1954 'H 51- AL 2,680,848

FOUNDATION GARMENT 3 Shoots-Shoe! 1 Filed June 25, 1951 IIiililllllllllilllllllllllllllllllll l LENA HANNES SAMUEL HANNES L. HANNES ET AL FOUNDATION GARMENT June 1 5, 1954 3 Sinus-Shut 2 Filed June 2, 1951 INVENTORS LENA HANNES SAMUEL HANNES June 15, 1954 Y L. HANNES ETAL 2,680,343

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed June 25, 1951 3 ShQets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS' LENA HANNES SAMUEL HANNES I Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOUNDATION GARMENT Lena names and Samuel Hannes, New York, N. Y.

Application June 25; 1951, Serial No. 233,382

5 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in foundation garments.

More specifically, the present invention proposes the construction of an improved founda: tion garment having a tubular body of elastic material provided with a novel arrangement of an interconnected compression pad and control band in a manner to provide for complete control of the stomach, hip and back muscles of the wearer.

Another object of the present invention proposes constructing the compression pad of non elastic material and securing it to the front of the tubular body so that the whole or at least the major portion of the compression pad will be in position over the abdomen of the wearer in a manner to compress and flatten the stomach muscles.

A further object of the present invention proposes constructing the control band of elastic material and extending it about the tubular body so that the ends of the band will be located at the vertical side edges of the compression pad to be attached thereto in a manner to draw the compression pad tightly into position over the abdomen while at the same time drawing the band into position about the body across the back and over the hips of the wearer. V

The present invention further proposes forming the control band of one-way stretch material arranged to stretch in the girth with the elastic material of the control band being somewhat stiffer than the elastic material of the tubular body in a manner to have greater compression force on the muscles of the abdomen, hips and back of the wearer.

Still another object of the present invention proposes the provision of novel means for adjustably releasably securing the ends of the control band to the compression pad in a manner to vary the degree of compression and/or to vary the vertical location of the control band with relation to the compression pad.

A further object of the present invention proa height less than the height of the f ront or the tubular body and to secure thatcompression pad to the front of the tubular body with its top edge flush with the top edge of the tubular body and to provide that compression pad with vertically extended reinforcing ribs in a manner so that thecompressionpad will have its whole area located over the abdomenof the wearer to have maximum compressing and shaping effect on the muscles of theabdomen.

The present invention further proposes a modification of the present invention in which the control band can be vertically adjusted over the complete height of the garment in a manner to be used selectively to control the stomach and back muscles or to control and compress the hips" and thighs. e

Still another object of a further modification ofthepresent invention proposes the construction of a garment inwhich the control band can be adjusted vertically to control the stomach and back muscles and in which an auxiliary control band is provided in amanner to be used for controlling and compressing the hips and thighs.

I It is a further objeetof the present invention to construct foundation garments of the type referred to which are simple and durable, which are elfective for their intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost. I v

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of thisdisclosure V Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a founda tion garment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken on the line 4- l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to a portion of Fig. 1', but with the closure fastener shown in its open position and with one end of the control band shown detached;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. l, but illustrating the foundation garment constructed in accordance with aimodification of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of Fig.6. v

Fig. .8 is an enlarged partial horizontal secuona view taken on the line 8 .8 of Fig. .6.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. "I.

Fig. 1G is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view taken on the line HllB of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 6, but illustrating the one end of the control band in a detached position.

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating the garment constructed in accordance with a further modification of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is another View similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating still another modification of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a rear elevational view of the garment shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view of the rear of the garment taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

I The foundation garment, according to the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, includes a tubular body 28 of elastic material. The elastic material used for forming the tubular body may be one-way stretch or twoway stretch, as desired. The top edges of the tubular body 20 are finished by a strip of elastic tape 21 folded into position over the top edges and held in position by stitches 22, see particularly Fig. 4.

The bottom edge of the tubular body 26 is finished by a length of lacy material 23 and the usual stocking supporters 24 all held in position by a single line of stitching 25.

A compression pad 26 is extended along the outer face of the front of the tubular body 25. The compression pad 26 is formed of non-elastic material and is of a vertical height corresponding to the vertical height of the front of the tubular body 2!). The vertical side edges of the compression pad 26 are secured to the material of the tubular body 20 by lines of stitches 2'5 and the bottom edge of the compression pad 28 is secured to the bottom edge of the tubular body 28 by the same stitches 25 which secure the lacy material 23 in position. The top edge of the compression pad 26 is free of any connection to the tubular body 28.

Extended about the tubular body 28, there IS an elastic control band 28 which has its ends located at the vertical side edges of the comression pad 26. As in the case of the tubular body 28, the control band 28 is constructed of a single elongated strip of one-way stretch elastic material 29 arranged to stretch in the girth. However, the elastic material 29 of the control band 28 is stiller than the elastic material of the tubular body 26.

Means is provided for securing the ends of the control band 29 to the vertical side edges of the compression pad 26 adjacent the top end thereof. The securing means comprises vertically arranged non-elastic tapes 36 secured to the ends of the elastic material 29 by stitches and which tapes carry the usual corset hooks 3|. Similar non-elastic tapes 32 have their inner vertical edges secured in position between the adjacent faces of the tubular body 28 and the compression pad 26 by the same stitches 21 which secure the compression pad 26 to the tubular body 29. The tapes 32 carry the usual corset eyes 33 to be engaged by the hooks 38. As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 5, there are considerably more eyes 33 along the two sides of the compression pad 26 than there are hooks 3! on the ends of the control band 28. This arrangement permits the hooks 3% to be selectively engaged with the eyes 33 for varying the vertical location at which the control band 25 will be engaged about the tubular body 2%. By adjusting the position of the control band 23 it is possible to obtain maximum compression on the abdomen of the wearer and locate the control band 28 at the proper location with relation to the hips of the wearer.

To facilitate putting the garment on and taking the same off, the non-elastic compression pad 25 is formed with a vertical slit 3d which extends from the top edge of the pad 2% to a point well below the lowermost eyes 33. The slit is closed by a slide fastener 35 controlled by the usual pull tab 35. When the slide fastener 35 is in the open condition shown in Fig. 5 tension on the control band 28 is released so that the tubular body 2b can be easily pulled on and oil over the hips. To initially close the slit 3d so that the pull tab 35 can be easily moved to the closed position of the slide fastener, the usual hooks 3? are mounted on the inner face of the compression pad 26 on the one side of the slit 34. Those hooks 3? are engageable with complementary eyes 38 carried by tabs 39, see Fig. 5, secured to the inner face of the compression pad 25 on the other side of the slit 3%.

The modification of the invention shown in igs, 6 to l]. is characterized by the fact that the compression pad 25 of non-elastic material is or" a height equal to approximately one-half the vertical height of the front of the tubular body 2%. That pad 2% is secured along its vertical side edges and along its bottom edge to the front face of the tubular body 223 by stitches 27 and has its top edge flush with the top edge of the tubular body 26. The top edge of the compression pad 2% is secured to the tubular body 26 by the same stitches 22 which secure the elastic binding tape 2i in position.

The compression pad 2% is reinforced vertically by means of flexible ribs ii; which are inserted between the adjacent faces of the tubular body Eli and the compression pad 2'6. The ribs 40 are retained in their vertically extended laterally spaced positions by means of vertical rows of stitches ii passed through the material of the tubular body 2% and the compression pad 25' along the vertical side edges of the ribs 49, see particularly Figs. 8 and 11.

The elastic control band '38 formed of two one-way stretch strips of elastic material 29 arranged with their direction of stretch extending girthwise. The strips of elastic material 29 are positioned so that they cross one another intermediate of their ends and at the back of the tubular body 2t, as shown in Fig. '7. At their point of crossing, the strips of elastic material 29 are secured together by a single line of stitches (32, see Figs. '7 and 10. The free ends of the strips of elastic material 2% are displaced vertically with relation to one another with adjacent edge portions overlapped just slightly, as shown in Figs. 6 and 11. Those end portions are secured together by the vertically extended non-elastic tapes it which carry the vertically spaced hooks 3|.

As in the previous form of the invention, vertically extended non-elastic tapes 32' are extended vertically along the side edges of the compression pad 26 and have their inner edges secured in position between the adjacent faces of the pad 25' and the tubular body as by the same stitches 2? which secure those vertical side edges of the compression pad to the tubular body. Each of the tapes 32 is provided with several vertical rows of eyes 33 which are in lateral alignment with each other for selective engagement by the hooks 3|.

In the construction of the modification oi the invention, the hooks 3! can be selectively engaged with either the inner or the outer vertical row of eyes 33' of its respective tape 32 .for varying the tension of the elastic control band 28. When the hooks 3! are engaged with the outer vertical rows of eyes 33', the control band 28' will be under less tension than when the hooks 3 l are engaged with the inner vertical rows of eyes 33'. It is also possible to adjust the vertical position of the elastic control band 28' with relation to the compression pad 26' by vertically varying the engagement of the hooks 3| with the eyes 33'. However, it is appreciated, that in any vertically connected position other than the one shown in Fig. 6, one or more of the hooks St at each end of the elastic control band 28 will be inoperative. Whether the inoperative hooks 3i are located at the top or the bottom of the tapes 32' will depend, of course, on whether the elastic control band 28 is shiited vertically upward or downward relative to the compression pad 28.

To relieve the tension of the elastic control band 28 so that the foundation garment can be easily put on and taken off, it is necessary to unhook the hooks 3i at one end of the band, as shown in Fig. 11. When the garment is in position on the body, the tension of the control band 28 can be restored by reengaging the disconnected hooks 31' with the respective desired vertical row of eyes 33.

In all other respects the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 11 is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts in all of the views.

The modification of the invention shown in Fig. 12 is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5 differing only in the provision of an attaching means for the control band 28 which permits that band to be adjusted over the full height of the garment to be selectively used for controlling the stomach or back muscles or for controlling and compressing the hips and thighs.

In the modified construction, the non-elastic tapes 32" are extended the full height of the vertical side edges of the compression pad 25. The eyes 33" are spaced along the full length of the tapes 32" for selective engagement by the hooks 3| on the ends of the control band 23.

When the hooks 3| are engaged with the uppermost eyes 33" as shown in Fig. 12, the control band 28 is then used for controlling the muscles of the stomach and back. On the other hand,

the hooks 3! can be engaged with the eyes 33' at the lower ends of the tapes 32" for positioning the control band 28 to control and compress the hips and thighs.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Fig. 12 is the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

The modification of the invention shown in Figs. 13 to is characterized by the fact that it is provided with a control band 28 for controlling the stomach and back muscles and an auxiliary control band 59 for controlling and compressing the hips and thighs. In this modification of the invention, the compression pad 126 of non-elastic material extends 6 the full height of the front of the tubular body 28 and has parallel vertical side edges secured to the tubular body by the lines of stitches 21 Attached to the back of the tubular body 29, see Figs. 14 and 15, there is another compression pad 5! of non-elastic material which extends the full height of the rear of the tubular body. The compression pad 51 also has parallel vertical side edges secured to the tubular body of lines of stitches 52.

Extended along the vertical side edges of the compression pad 25 at the front of the tubular body 25 here are the non-elastic tapes 32 which are secured in position along their inner edges by the same stitches 2'? which secure the compression pad 29 in position. Mounted on the tapes 32 over the full length thereof, there are pluralities of evenly spaced eyelets 33.

As shown in Fig. 13, the hooks 3| on the ends of the control band 28 are engaged with the eyelets 33 at the top ends of the tapes 32 so that the control band 28 can be used for controlling the stomach and back muscles. The intermedn ate portion of the control band 28 extends about the tubular body 28 and over the outer face of the compression pad 5i as sh wn in 14.

Extended vertically along the bottom portions of the vertical side edges of the compression pad 5i, see Fig. 14, there are non-elastic tapes 53 which have their inner vertical edges secured in position by the same stitches 52 which secure the vertical side edges of the compression pad 5| to the back of the tubular body 28. Mounted in spaced positions along the lengths of the tapes 53 there are pluralities of spaced eyelets 54. It is essential that the tapes 53 be mounted in position so that their eyelets 5:3 are in horizontal alignment with the respective eyelets 33*- on the oottom end portions of the tapes 32 The auxiliary control band 50 is comprised of horizontally aligned lengths of elastic material 55 which are of a length to extend between the vertical side edges of the compression pads 26 and 5! The elastic material is one-way stretch material arranged to stretch in the girth only the same as the elastic material 23 of the control band 28.

Stitched to the ends of the lengths of elastic material 55 there are non-elastic tapes 55 which carry vertically spaced hooks 51. The hooks 51 are provided for selective engagement with the eyelets 33 on the bottom end portions of the tapes 32 and with the eyelets M for mounting the auxiliary control band 50 in position over the hips and thighs of the wearer. There are more eyelets 33 and 54 than there are hooks 57 on the ends of the auxiliary control band as so that the vertical positioning of the auxiliary control band can be adjusted as desired.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 13 to 15 is in all other respects similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

From the foregoing descriptions'it is apparent that the present invention provides novel garments in which complete control of the muscles of the stomach, back and hips can be had for obtaining the desired shaping and compressing of the figure. While the features of the present invention have been illustrated applied to a foundation garment of the girdle type, it is appreciated that those features can also be embodied in a parity girdle or any other similar type of garment which is worn by women as an undergarment without departingfrom the scope and intent of the present invention. Also, the hooks and eyes for securing the ends of the elastic control bands 28 and 28' in position can be replaced by snap fasteners, slide fasteners, buttons or if no adjustment is to be included the ends of those control bands can be secured directly to the sides of the compression pads 26 or 25.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A foundation garment comprising a tubular body of elastic material for encircling the lower portion of the female figure, a compression pad having vertical side edges and of non-elastic material secured to said body and extending the length thereof to be located over the abdomen of the wearer, an elastic control band extended about said body and having its ends located at the vertical side edges of said pad, and means securing the ends of said band to the vertical side edges of said pad, said securing means being releasable and comprising tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical side edges of said compression pad, eyes mounted on said tapes, tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical end edges of said elastic control band, and hooks of lesser number on said latter-mentioned tapes and adjustably engageable with said eyes, said first-mentioned tapes of non-elastic material being extended the full height of said compression pad, said eyes being spaced along the full length of said first mentioned tapes, and a second compression pad secured to the rear of the tubular body and extended the full height thereof.

2. A foundation garment comprising a tubular body of elastic material for encircling the lower portion of the female figure, a compression pad having vertical side edges and of non-elastic material secured to said body and extending the length thereof to be located over the abdomen of the wearer, an elastic control band extended about said body and having its ends located at the vertical side edges of said pad, and means securing the ends of said band to the vertical side edges of said pad, said securing means being releasable and comprising tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical side edges of said compression pad, eyes mounted on said tapes, tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical end edges of said elastic control band, and hooks of lesser number on said latter-mentioned tapes and adjustably engageable with said eyes, said firstmentioned tapes of non-elastic material being extended the full height of said compression pad,

said eyes being spaced along the full length of said first mentioned tapes, and a second compression pad secured to the rear of the tubular body and extended the full height thereof, said control band being extended about the upper portion of said tubular body and over the outer face of said second compression pad.

3. A foundation garment comprising a tubular body of elastic material for encircling the lower portion of the female figure, a compression pad having vertical side edges and of non-elastic material secured to said body and extending the length thereof to be located over the abdomen of the wearer, an elastic control band extended about said body and having its ends located at the vertical side edges of said pad, and means securing the ends of said band to the vertical side edges of said pad, said securing means being releasable and comprising tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical side edges of said compression pad, eyes mounted on said tapes, tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical end edges of said elastic control band, and hooks or lesser number on said latter-mentioned tapes and adjustably engageable with said eyes, said firstmentioned tapes of non-elastic material being extended the full height of said compression pad, said. eyes being spaced along the full length of said first mentioned tapes, and a second compression pad secured to the rear of the tubular body and extended the full height thereof, said control band being extended about the upper portion of said tubular body and over the outer face of said second compression pad, and an auxiliary control band engaged about the lower portion of said tubular body.

4. A foundation garment comprising a tubular body of elastic material for encircling the lower portion of the female figure, a compression pad having vertical side edges and of non-elastic material secured to said body and extending the length thereof to be located over the abdomen of the wearer, an elastic control band extended about said body and. having its ends located at the vertical side edges of said pad, and means securing the ends of said band to the vertical side edges of said pad, said securing means being releasable and comprising tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical side edges of said compression pad, eyes mounted on said tapes, tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical end edges of said elastic control band, and hooks of lesser number on said latter-mentioned tapes and adjustably engageable with said eyes, said firstmentioned tapes of non-elastic material being extended the full height of said compression pad, said eyes being spaced along the full length of said first-mentioned tapes, and a second compression pad secured to the rear of the tubular body and extended the full height thereof, said control band being extended about the upper portion of said tubular body and over the outer face of said second compression pad, and an auxiliary control band engaged about the lower portion of said tubular body, said auxiliary control band comprising horizontally aligned lengths of elastic material extended between the adjacent vertical side edges or" said compression pads, non-elastic tapes extended along the bottom portions of the vertical side edges of said second compression pad, eyelets on said latter-mentioned tapes in spaced positions to match the spacing of the eyelets on the bottom portions of said first-mentioned non-elastic tapes, and hooks on the ends of said lengths of elastic material forming said auxiliary control band for selective engagement with said eyelets on the bottom portions of said first-mentioned non-elastic tapes and said eyelets on said latter-mentioned tapes.

5. A foundation garment comprising a tubular body of elastic material for encircling the lower portion of the female figure, a compression pad having vertical side edges and of non-elastic material secured to said body and extending the length thereof to be located over the abdomen of the wearer, an elastic control band extended about said body and having its ends located at the vertical side edges of said pad, and means securing the ends of said band to the vertical side edges of said pad, said securing means being releasable and comprising tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical side edges of said compression pad, eyes mounted on said tapes, tapes of non-elastic material secured in position along the vertical end edges of said elastic control band, and hooks of lesser number on said latter-mentioned tapes and adjustably engageable with said eyes, said firstmentioned tapes of non-elastic material being extended the full height of said compression pad, said eyes being spaced along the full length of said first-mentioned tapes, and a second compression pad secured to the rear of the tubular body and extended the full height thereof, said control band being extended about the upper portion of said tubular body and over the outer face of said second compression pad, and an auxiliary control band portion of said tubular body, said auxiliary control band comprising horizontally aligned lengths of elastic material extended between the adjacent vertical side edges of said compression pads, non-elastic tapes extended along the bottom portions of the vertical side edges or said second compression pad, eyelets on said latter-menengaged about the lower tioned tapes in spaced positions to match the spacing of the eyelets on the bottom portions of said first-mentioned non-elastic tapes, and hooks on the ends of said lengths of elastic material forming said auxiliary control band for selective engagement with said eyelets on the bottom portions of said first-mentioned non-elastic tapes and said eyelets on said latter-mentioned tapes, said lengths of elastic material forming said auxiliary control band being one-way stretch material arranged to stretch in the girth only.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,605,323 Beck Nov. 2, 1926 1,716,993 Von Halle June 11, 1929 2,104,203 Levy Jan. 4, 1938 2,108,094 Abeles Feb. 15, 1938 2,216,134 Rabinowitz Oct. 1, 1940 2,384,806 Berdach Sept. 18, 1945 2,506,804 Martin May 9, 1950 2,556,891 Versoy et al June 12, 1951 2,557,767 Schlageter June 19, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 380,878 Great Britain Sept. 29, 1932 508,144 Great Britian June 27, 1939 

